This is way more fun than doomscrolling!  You look very cute.

Welcome to TGP, Marceline!! We're so happy you found us! While each of us is unique we also share many similarities in our journeys. We help each other, lift each other up, lend a shoulder to cry on or share a laugh together. We are here for you.

Welcome and congratulations on beginning your journey of discovery! While it might not be easy going, I can guarantee it will be filled with surprises and excitement. Finding self love is the most critical part of the journey and it seems as if you have!! Best wishes and know we are here to help.

Welcome back! Taking time to both define and understand you journey is admirable and smart.   Best wishes as you continue to learn about yourself!

Welcome Aydhindril  I don't think you need to "destroy" your past.  For me it has been more of beginning a new chapter of my life. When I get junk mail under my dead name, I just say "He doesn't live here anymore." Sometimes it takes time, I hope you can find what you're looking for.

Trying to escape the madness, why?

Trying to make sense of me, my first six months past without hormones, now the letter of referal for hormone care, but, i wanted to try and understand why am i trans?

Back from Sicily. What a trip!

Possible spark occurred to me yesterday.

A relieving thought for the day could be that everything is transient, and realizing this can ease unnecessary worry and stress. Another thought is that you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously, embracing both your strengths and imperfections. A comforting idea is to focus on the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future worries.    Here are some more thoughts to consider: "There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it."    "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong with you, no matter what is wrong."    "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."    "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness."    "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."    "Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths." 

A relieving thought for the day could be that everything is transient, and realizing this can ease unnecessary worry and stress. Another thought is that you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously, embracing both your strengths and imperfections. A comforting idea is to focus on the present moment, letting go of past regrets and future worries.    Here are some more thoughts to consider: "There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it."    "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong with you, no matter what is wrong."    "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."    "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness."    "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."    "Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths." 

How do you relieve pressures and tension/

Back at the gender clinic i suppose in a way they took my mind off my situation by the usual re enforcement rules, being in role I just felt like i wanted out. The colon surgery presented me with new problems, it was a colon and a colon function was to pass food so mucos would build up which became problematic, some times a little would appear other times well not so pleasant. My Colon surgery was a very early attempt and the colon was complete and not re sectioned, this had one good advantage i did not need to dilate as its essentially a tube which mucos passes through. A few years passed and the two surgeons present at my colon surgery had improved their skills and technology had a step change. Philip Thomas, one of the surgeons at Charring Cross Hospital said, Michael Royle was ahead of his time, but not quite there, could Philip and James fix me?

Thank you for taking the time out, it is very much appreciated.  My sister outside number 11 Downing Street, which at that time was where Boris Johnson, the then Prime Minister resided, she frequents the halls of the palace of westminster. Me in a blue top that mum said should end the problem of am i a girl or boy? needless to say back in school uniform that went out of the window! 

Welcome to TGP!  Sorry for the late welcome, but we just got back from a trip to Sicily late last night so I have not had much time here for the past week.   Like you, I found TGP when I was struggling with dysphoria and dysmorphia. Interacting with others here, finding support and acceptance, gaining friendships as well as discovering the wealth of information available in our forums was a huge part of accepting who I was and needed to become. It helped save my life.   I'm still catching up but if no one else has suggested it, working with a gender-qualified therapist can also be a huge help. It, literally, helped save my life.   Again, welcome, and I look forward to getting to know you.

Thank you @Carolyn Marie, apology accepted.   But I do think that this passage alone disqualifies the article as fair analysis. The York University systematic reviews themselves, commissioned by the Cass Review, found *no evidence whatsoever* for psychotherapy as a treatment for gender dysphoria. In a fair analysis, wouldn’t that at least rate a mention? Nor are RCTs either viable or ethical, given a patient will know within a couple of months whether they’ve been given a placebo or not, and the effects of that realisation are likely to be severe depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. Again, I think a fair analysis would mention that.   One last point. This may seem like nitpicking but I think it’s pretty crucial, and shows that at very least the WP journalist has not done their research thoroughly. The article refers to both the HSS report and the Cass Review as “systematic reviews”. A systematic review follows strict criteria lacking in either of these policy documents, and is almost always peer reviewed.